This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Tour Itinerary

  • 11:00 Meet at the hotel
  • 11:20 Ueno Park. Ueno Toshogu Shrine, Ueno Great Buddha, Kiyomizu Kannon-do, Shinobazu Pond, Shinobazu Benten-do
  • 12:30 Nezu Shrine.
  • Stroll through the old town areas of Nezu, Sendagi, and Yanaka. Yanaka Ginza
  • 14:10 Lunch at Ameyoko
  • 15:00 Escort to the hotel in Shimbashi and end the guide

What's a Private Walking Tour of Ueno and Yanaka Like in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests came from Oceania. We visited Ueno Park, where I explained the history of Kaneiji Temple and how the area came to be a park. At Toshogu Shrine, I explained about shrines and Shinto, the dazzling Toshogu itself, and the ascending and descending dragons carved by Hidari Jingoro, which the guests found very interesting. I guided them around Kannon-do Hall, Shinobazu Pond, and Bentendo Hall, explaining that the Tokugawa shogun had modeled these on Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, Lake Biwa, and Chikubu Island. They found this fascinating. At Nezu Shrine, they enjoyed the customary walk through the row of torii gates. In the old town, they smiled while looking at the narrow streets, the public bathhouse, the potted plants placed along the road, and the bicycles. While I was guiding them through Ameyoko, they suddenly said they wanted to eat yakitori, so we went to an izakaya. We had a lunch of yakitori, gyoza, and edamame.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainShimbashi~Ueno170JPY
Section 2TrainNippori~Ueno150JPY
Section 3TrainOkachimachi~Shimbashi170JPY
Total490JPY

My name is Shuji, meaning “Excellent Manager” in English. I was born in Hiroshima 1952. I have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
After graduating Kyoto Univ. I joined Mitsubishi-UFJ Bank, Osaka Branch where I met my wife who was a master of Englsih, so I started studying English.
The bank allowed me to go to Columbia Graduate business school in New York and got MBA Degree there. I worked in London and Manchester Branch.
During staying in U.K., I was introduced by BBC and Financial Times News Paper about my achievement there. I was selected as a personal assistant and interpreter for the President of the Bank.
I made many business trips with him to overseas countries. I experienced as an interpreter for meeting late Henry Kissinger and the President of Citi. Corp.
I changed the job to ORIX corporation, there I was promoted to a Board Member. When the company had acquired Dutch company, I was a member as an accountant to check the Dutch company’s statements of accounts.
My hobbies are cooking, singing a song, playing tennis & golf, enjoy seeing arts especially opera & musical, travel. I am also busy with taking care of grandchildren. I passed Government Licensed Guide Exam. in 2016. After I retired in 2017, I started guide job as a part timer. So far, I accomplished guide job more than 500 times.
My area coverage is from Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji to Kyoto, Nara, Oaka, Hiroshima. I am also able to guide Tea Ceremony, Maiko/Geisha, Sushi Making, Calligraphy, Sumo, Samurai, etc. I can speak excellent English. My knowledge is very wide and deep about not only sightseeing places but Japanese History, Culture, Religion, Daily Life. I know many foreign countries and people. I love talking with all kinds of people including babies with interesting humor.
By the way, I look young for my age of 74.

Jul 16, 2026
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Amazing with our guide Shuji very kind and acknowledge

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A great day in the Company of mr. Shuji.

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Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached…

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